Tag Archives: Real Estate

10 Clever Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

“Next to Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide is the best multi-cleaning agent you should have in your house.  Check out all the ways to use it.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

15 Smart Ideas From Beautifully Organized Pantries

“Ever wonder what you could do different to make it easier to find things in your pantry?  Check this article out to find several ideas that might just work for you!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Steps to Clean Your Washing Machine

“It’s something that most of us don’t think about…keeping your Washing Machine clean.  It doesn’t take a ton of effort and the steps you take will ensure you don’t have a mildew problem in the future.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Originally published by American Home Shield

Taking the time to clean your washer and dryer can help make your machines more efficient and even prevent scary fires. See what you can do to keep this essential appliance mildew and danger free.

Someone Cleaning Font-Loading Washing Machine

The inside of your washing machine has to be one of the cleanest spots in your home, right? All that soapy hot water swishing around and rinsed again and again. Probably a good place to keep leftovers (we kid, we kid). But wait? What’s the perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew? One that’s dark, warm and moist. Uh-oh — that’s the washing machine.

Have you noticed that your washing machine smells? Do your clothes smell after being washed? It looks like it’s a good time to learn how to clean a washing machine.

Yep, It’s a Dirty Washing Machine

First things first: How did your washing machine get dirty? Well, today’s washing machines are made to conserve water. If you are used to dumping in a lot of detergent out of habit (or from thinking that your clothes will get cleaner with more soap), you’re likely using too much. With the reduced amount of water, the detergent may not be breaking down fully, leaving a coat of soap on the tub and possibly damaging your machine. Likewise, if you have a tendency to leave wet clothes in the washer, it’s a real possibility that you’ve welcomed some mold and mildew growth.

You should always follow the washer manufacturer’s instructions on the type and amount of detergent to use. Newer, high-efficiency washers use special detergent made for those machines. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to use washing machine cleaner tablets every month to help dissolve the soap residue, too. And since mold and mildew are always ready to take advantage of dark, warm, moist environments, you should be ready to move wet clothes from the washer and into the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is complete. Similarly, damp wash cloths, towels and dishtowels should always be hung up to dry before being placed in a clothes hamper. The same goes for wet clothes.

What You’ll Need to Get it Clean

Fortunately, getting that washing machine sparkling only requires these materials:

  • Vinegar
  • Baking Soda (front-loader only)
  • Bleach (top-loader only)
  • Sponge
  • Clean Cloth

How to Clean a Front-Loader

If you have a front-loader washing machine, cleaning is not very difficult.

1.     Set the washer to the hottest, longest setting.

2.     Add two cups of vinegar.

3.     Add one-quarter cup of baking soda.

4.     Start the wash cycle and let it run until it’s complete.

5.     When complete, wipe down the inside and outside surfaces with a damp sponge.

6.     Dry all the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.

7.     Repeat these steps monthly.

How to Clean a Top-Loader

Cleaning a top-loader washing machine is a little more involved than cleaning a front-loader.

1.     Set the washer to the hottest, longest setting.

2.     Add four cups of bleach.

3.     Let the washer fill completely, then stop it and let it soak for a full hour.

4.     Turn it back on after an hour, and let it complete the full wash cycle.

5.     Now start it again, on the hottest, longest setting.

6.     Add four cups of vinegar.

7.     Let the washer fill completely, then stop it and let it soak for an hour.

8.     At the end of an hour, take a sponge and dip it in the vinegar water from the tub.

9.     Use the sponge to clean all the exposed surfaces, including the detergent or softener basket and the lip of the tub.

10.  Now start it again, and let it run through the complete wash cycle.

11.  When complete, dry the interior with a clean, dry cloth.

12.  Repeat these steps monthly.

Patio Shade Ideas Under $300

“Most of us are looking for ways to extend our living space to outside.  Creating an inexpensive shaded area is an easy way to to that.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?

“This is a common question for us, and it’s not always a simple answer.  Take a read and learn how to help make your last longer with just a little maintenance.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Buying a home with a mature AC unit? Learn how long most HVAC systems tend to last and how you can maintain it better.

Hvac unit outside home

Chronological age isn’t the only factor to consider when it comes to determining how long your HVAC system should last. Your furnace should last longer than your air conditioner, but you can extend the life of your entire HVAC system with regular maintenance and timely repairs.

Your System’s Lifespan

The average lifespan of a furnace today is about 15 to 20 years. A heat pump should last about 16 years, and an AC unit should last 10 to 20 years.

Regular HVAC maintenance can help you identify potential problems before they become serious enough to shorten the life of your system. You can do some maintenance tasks, such as changing your HVAC filter, yourself. If you have pets, or if someone in your home has allergies, change it every month. Otherwise, change it every three to six months.

Other tasks, such as a yearly furnace and AC tune-up, are best left to the professionals. An HVAC contractor can clean the condenser and evaporator coils on your AC unit and examine it for signs of damage. If your AC needs repair, it’s best to figure that out before it fails completely. If you have a home warranty with American Home Shieldâ, you can relax knowing our contractor network can help with your AC maintenance.

Routine AC maintenance should take place early in the spring, so your unit will work properly from the very first day you turn it on and so you can avoid breakdowns during the summer, when you depend on your AC to keep you comfortable. The same goes for maintaining your furnace. Schedule an HVAC tune-up for your furnace before cold weather sets in, so you can avoid breakdowns that will leave you in the cold.

Upgrading to a New System

If your AC unit is more than 15 years old or if your furnace is more than 20 years old, it may be time to upgrade to a new system, especially if something breaks. When you figure in the cost of labor, some repairs, like replacing a condenser or evaporator coil in your air conditioner, can be just as costly or even more expensive than replacing the unit entirely.

Homeowners in some areas face the prospect of upgrading a legacy HVAC system to a more modern one. For example, you may have a coal or oil furnace that was installed 50 years ago and should have been replaced 20 years ago. Replacing this system will do more than save you from coping with an unexpected breakdown. It may also significantly lower your heating costs, especially for systems that rely on fuels that are now very expensive, like heating oil.

Likewise, you may want to replace your heat pump or evaporative cooler with a new AC unit, which will last about as long, perhaps even a little longer, than your old system. It will also function more efficiently, saving you money. The sooner you replace your legacy system, the sooner you can begin reaping the benefits of lower energy bills.

Top of HVAC system

Factors that Affect Your AC System’s Life

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your system. These days, the climatic conditions most units must deal with have changed from 20 or 30 years ago. The weather is getting warmer, but that’s not the only issue. Off-gassing – the release of airborne particulates from common household products – often occurs with chemicals in newly constructed or newly renovated homes and cleaning supplies, all of which can affect your unit’s lifespan.

The chemicals used in the manufacture of building components today can cause the copper condenser coils inside of indoor AC units to corrode more quickly. Modern building methods also mean that houses aren’t as drafty as they once were, so there’s less air flow through your home. While that’s great news for your energy bill, it also means that chemicals from cleaning products and new building components can remain in your home longer. For these reasons, outdoor air conditioning units tend to last longer than indoor units.

Of course, another big factor that affects the life of your HVAC is how you use it. In many parts of the country, homeowners only use their air conditioning for a few months out of the year. An AC unit in Pennsylvania, for example, that only gets used for four or five months of the year will last longer than one in Arizona that gets used 24 hours a day all year long. That second air conditioner simply experiences more wear and tear in a shorter period of time because it’s used more.

How to Create a Mini Outdoor Retreat

“Even if you don’t have a Deck or patio, you can still create a little outdoor retreat for yourself so you can get away from time to time.” 

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Why Do I Have Standing Water in my Yard?

“This is a problem that we all dread, but it can be taken care of.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Originally Published by American Home Shield

Standing water can be caused by many things: soil that doesn’t absorb water, grading issues, etc. Try these drainage solutions to keep your yard above water.

Water in the yard

Keeping your lawn green and pristine is a matter of pride. So it can be upsetting to find a growing puddle of standing water in your yard. Not only is stagnant water unsightly, but it can also kill your grass, damage ornamental plants, compromise your home’s foundation, become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and be symptom of larger problems.

What causes water to accumulate on your lawn? What are the best methods of eliminating standing water? Here’s what homeowners need to know.

Causes of Standing Water

When stagnant water forms on your property, it can be a sign of either easily correctable habits or more fundamental design flaws.

Be careful of overwatering your lawn. If your home is equipped with an automatic sprinkler or irrigation system, you may need to make certain adjustments to address a problem with standing water. Try watering your lawn less frequently and/or for shorter periods of time.

If altering your gardening and maintenance habits doesn’t correct the issue, further investigation may be necessary. The following are common culprits in cases of standing water.

Grading. Lawns should be graded (or leveled) to ensure proper drainage. The slope should trend away from the house and direct run-off down towards the street, alleyway or storm sewer. If your landscaping doesn’t take the proper angle, water may collect on your lawn faster that it can drain. Improper drainage can also cause natural low spots in your yard to accumulate more and more water with each rainfall.

ThatchProper drainage also depends on your lawn’s permeability. A permeable lawn allows water to seep into the earth instead of collecting on the surface. If grass clippings or leaf litter clog on your lawn, they can prevent the soil from absorbing water as it would under normal conditions.

SoilsHard, compact soils and heavy, sticky clay soils are also less absorbent and prevent surface water from seeping into the ground.

Hard subsoil. Hardpan is a thick layer of impervious subsoil. Hardpan can be naturally occurring, or it can be the result of construction equipment densely compacting yards and lawns which are then topped with a layer of topsoil, disguising the issue. Once water percolates down to the hardpan, it has nowhere else to go and begins pooling.

High water table. As rain seeps into the earth, it becomes groundwater. This groundwater forms a water table, a completely saturated level of subsurface soil and rock. In some instances, however, the water table can rise very close to the surface, creating waterlogged conditions.

Ways To Get Rid of Standing Water

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with standing water. Depending on the ultimate cause of your standing water problem, you can take immediate action to boost your lawn’s ability to shed water.

Re-grade. Consult with a professional landscaper on re-grading the terrain around your home. Be sure to request that the landscaper provide a survey of your lawn’s low-lying points, natural channels and drainage outlets.

De-thatch. You can remove heavy thatch using a dethatcher, vertical mower, or even a simple lawn rake. Once you’ve removed the plant debris, pierce the turf with a garden fork or a lawn aerator. The small holes you make should be at least 4 inches deep and spaced 2 inches apart. Aerated soil is not only soil that drains properly — it’s also healthier soil.

Break it up. In order to make your lawn more amenable to water absorption, work organic matter into your soil. Garden compost, leaf mold and manure will all open the soil up and create more minute channels through which water can escape.

DigFor hardpan problems, a shovel may be the best solution. If the hardpan is less than 2 feet thick, wait for a dry spell and then dig up as much as you can. If you can’t break up the hardpan yourself, consult with a professional contractor who specializes in drilling through densely packed subsoil.

Make accommodations. A high water table is a much more difficult issue to address. Instead, it’s a fact of life that you will likely have to work around. However, you can still improve drainage by increasing the depth of your lawn borders. You can also add layers of soil to create raised beds. Finally, you can landscape using more shallow-rooted plants capable of surviving wet conditions.

Install a French drain. A French drain (also known as a curtain drain) is actually a comprehensive drainage system made from rather simple materials. A graded trench directs the flow of water away from the home. The trench is then filled in with gravel, which lets gravity do the work of channeling the water into a perforated pipe that sits at the trench’s base.

Don’t let standing water keep you and your family from enjoying the outdoor areas around your home. By identifying the cause of your drainage problem and relying on good common sense, you can ensure that gray clouds don’t linger even after the storms have passed.

5 Deck Makeover Projects That Cost Less Than a Fancy Dinner Out

“It’s that time of the year when we want to get outside as much as we can to take advantage of the nice weather.  Here are some ideas to make your deck just a little nicer!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

The Right Height for Everything in Your Bathroom

“Have you got an older home where things in the bathroom are just not the right height?  Well, here’s how to figure out what’s right for you.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team